Klinger Lake property situation resolved

A Klinger Lake property owner has complied with a request to clean his lawn of building materials and other debris.

By Jef RietsmaJournal Correspondent

White Pigeon Township officials said a Klinger Lake property owner has complied with a request to clean his lawn of building materials and other debris.At a meeting Tuesday of White Pigeon Township Board of Trustees, supervisor Don Gloy said a site inspection he and township attorney Lance Thornton conducted at 68222 Klinger Lake Road resulted in a satisfactory resolution.The matter reached a head a month ago, when more than two dozen Klinger Lake residents filled the township meeting room to complain about the condition of property owned by Sturgis resident Eric Pierson. Neighbors accused township officials of failure to enforce an ordinance regarding rubbish, building materials and debris on private property.Following nearly 30 minutes of discussion at that meeting, Thornton drafted to Pierson a letter detailing steps to be taken to remedy the situation. Pierson had until June 26 to comply.“Upon looking at the property, we found that he did comply — it’s mowed, all the trash and debris, cement blocks, building material are all off the property,” Gloy said. “He had his docks stacked neatly, he had his lawn furniture in a nice row, so, he has complied.”Township Clerk David Girton read a letter from Shelley Connors, who lives a few houses north of Pierson’s parcel. Connors expressed her thanks to Gloy and township officials for handling the situation in a prudent manner.Connors also said the township has indicated it will monitor the property to ensure it doesn’t revert to its previous state.“We sincerely appreciate your assistance and thank you for your time and attention,” Girton said, quoting the closing paragraph from Connors’ letter.Pierson, who did not attend this week’s meeting, said earlier on Tuesday his property and its 2,500-square-foot vacant house are in full compliance with all township ordinances.“I’m not really going to worry about what other people think about me,” he said. “Between Three Rivers, Sturgis, Coldwater and White Pigeon, it seems like I spend 90 percent of my time trying to please them.”Pierson owns a number of rental properties in St. Joseph and Branch counties.